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Jackson: Seasons in Indy made me grow up

Others might recall only the ugly end of Stephen Jackson’s two-plus seasons with the Pacers, but the Spurs swingman swears his time in Indiana was among the most important of his career.

Jackson, who scored 12 points in the Spurs’ 101-79 victory over the Pacers at the AT&T Center, was traded to the Warriors midway through the 2006-07 season after an incident at an Indianapolis area strip club and a subsequent in-game confrontation with then-Pacers coach Rick Carlisle.

He calls it one of the most important times of his career.

“I think those two incidents I had in Indiana kind of made me grow up faster and get back to being a humble Jack and appreciate the game more,” Jackson said. “I think a little bit more now before I react, when I’m on and off the court, from being there.

“But I think I learned my worth there. Going there and getting my first big contract taught me a lot about getting the confidence to be a good player and the guy I am on the court.”

Jackson earned two technical fouls in the first three games but insisted he had not forgotten to think before reacting in those instances.

“I thought about those techs,” he said. “I got fouled the second time (against Utah) and the other time, (Oklahoma City’s Serge) Ibaka was running his mouth a little too much. I will never get disrespected by nobody. I’m going to go out a man. If I get disrespected, I’m going to get a tech. Point-blank.”

Though NBA fines start at $2,000, Jackson isn’t concerned.

“I’ve saved up a lot of money the last 13 years,” he said. “I’m good. I’m a man first. Before you disrespect me, I’m going to spend some money. I ain’t tripping on that. But you’re going to respect me.”

Manu feeling better: Though he made only 1 of 4 shots and committed four turnovers in 17 minutes against the Pacers, guard Manu Ginobili was delighted at how good he felt in his second game of the season. He had missed the first two games with back spasms.

“I’m still out of rhythm. I haven’t practiced with the guys in over two weeks. I need to play, to dribble, to pass. I feel inconsistent, not confident yet. That’s the least concern right now. It’s the fourth game of the season. We’ve got 78 ahead of us. My main concern now is being happy, and that’s fine.”

Re: Jackson: Seasons in Indy made me grow up

Same old, isn't it? He's more focused in whether he's respected than on his team and winning. Fake toughness.

He hasn't grown up, he's found a new, but old way to justify his lack of self control when things don't go his way.

By the way, I don't respect him. So there.

Why do the things that we treasure most, slip away in time
Till to the music we grow deaf, to God's beauty blind
Why do the things that connect us slowly pull us apart?
Till we fall away in our own darkness, a stranger to our own hearts
And life itself, rushing over me
Life itself, the wind in black elms,
Life itself in your heart and in your eyes, I can't make it without you

Re: Jackson: Seasons in Indy made me grow up

Same old, isn't it? He's more focused in whether he's respected than on his team and winning. Fake toughness.

So true. Guys that command respect do not have to talk about it. They simply have the mental and physical toughness that compels respect, regardless of how they perform on any given night. They give their full attention to the only thing that matters and that is winning. Everything else will take care of itself.

The Following User Says Thank You to Derek2k3 For This Useful Post:

Re: Jackson: Seasons in Indy made me grow up

“I think those two incidents I had in Indiana kind of made me grow up faster and get back to being a humble Jack and appreciate the game more,” Jackson said, referring to himself in third person with a nickname to show just how grown up and humble he has become.

Re: Jackson: Seasons in Indy made me grow up

Don't buy it. This is the same guy who was hosting club parties on nights before games, in the middle of road trips last season. The guy is smart enough to know what to say publically atleast, but it stops right about there.